The rebooted Baywatch is making a case for Los Angeles as a production hub, with its showrunner telling Deadline that the series will remind the industry of the city's unique advantages. As studios increasingly relocate shoots to other states and countries, the iconic beach drama is positioning itself as proof that Hollywood can still compete.
Showrunner Matt Nix, a native Californian, says the decision to film in L.A. was central to his involvement.
“I've been very aware of the challenges facing production in Los Angeles, but I'd love to remind the broader Hollywood community that there are also enormous advantages to shooting here,”he said.
“People say it's impossible to shoot in L.A., but it isn't.”
Why is the Baywatch reboot filming in Los Angeles?
Nix argues that the city's natural assets are unmatched.
“Los Angeles is where the actors are. We can bring in great guest performers who might not travel across the country for a single day's work,”he explained.
“The other thing is that the beach is the beach. If you're shooting a film set in the mountains, you go to the mountains because that's where they are. Los Angeles has the same kind of essential location value.”
The production secured a $21.1 million (40%) tax credit from the California Film Commission late last year, a boost that comes as a new federal tax credit could further incentivize domestic production.
What is the new Baywatch about?
The series, launching on Fox next year and sold by Fremantle at MIPCOM Cannes, follows Hobie Buchannon, played by Stephen Amell, as the adult son of David Hasselhoff's iconic Mitch Buchannon. In the reboot, Hobie's estranged daughter returns to his life, hoping to train as a lifeguard. Amell said producers simplified the pitch:
“This is a father-daughter show set against the backdrop of Baywatch.”
Amell, who grew up in Toronto, credits the original series with drawing him to California.
“When you watched the show as a kid in Toronto in February, you wondered, 'Is that a real place? Can you really go there and live?' It created this aspirational view of California,”he said.
How does Noah Beck fit into the Baywatch universe?
Co-star Noah Beck, who rose to fame on TikTok during the pandemic, plays a lifeguard in the series. Though too young to remember the original run, he says he understands its weight.
“There's a massive responsibility when you put on those red shorts. It almost felt like putting on superhero armor every morning,”he said.
Beck, a former soccer player, hopes the role opens doors in acting.
“I know that my following can get me into a room, but it won't keep me there,”he admitted.
“I've accidentally fallen in love with acting, and I hope the work keeps coming.”
Can Baywatch help revive Hollywood production?
Nix believes the show can serve as a reminder of what the industry stands to lose.
“We forget at our peril”that the TV and movie business began in Hollywood, he said, even as debates rage over runaway production.
Amell remains focused on the present.
“You can't think about the big-picture expectations,”he said.
“I'm focusing on the work step by step.”
The series is being pitched to international buyers at MIPCOM this week, with Amell, co-star Brooks Nader, and executives in attendance.
Frequently asked questions about the Baywatch reboot
When does the new Baywatch premiere?
The rebooted series is set to launch on Fox next year. An exact premiere date has not yet been announced.
Who stars in the Baywatch reboot?
Stephen Amell plays Hobie Buchannon, with Noah Beck and Brooks Nader among the cast. David Hasselhoff's character remains central to the story.
Where was the Baywatch reboot filmed?
The series was filmed in Los Angeles, taking advantage of California's film tax credits and the city's natural beach locations.